Toy comprising two hand held rods freely rotatable in a manner so as to converge



Sept. 24, 1963 M. E. CLARK 3,104,494

TOY COMPRISING TWO HAND HELD RODS FREELY ROTATABLE IN A MANNER so AS TO CONVERGE Filed April 24. 1961 FIGI ' Mme/W02. MELV/N E. CIR/FA United States Patent 3,104,494 TOY COMPRISING TWO HAND HELD RODS FREELY ROTATABLE IN A MANNER S0 AS TO (IONVERGE Melvin E. Clark, 7412 Yates, St. Louis 16, Mo. Filed Apr. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 104,911 3 Claims. (Cl. 461) The present invention relates to a toy and to a method of using said toy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a toy comprising a pair of substantially L-shaped rods loosely positioned and freely pivotable in circumscribed handles. When the rods are held by a player in substantially parallel relationship and moved toward an object, the ends of the rods most removed from the player tend to move relative to each other.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a toy and method of using the same as hereinbefore described. Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy in which a pair of elongated members are rotatably positioned in the hands of a player, and when the player moves the members toward an object, the rods move from a previously maintained parallel position to a crossed relationship.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a game method in which a pair of freely pivotable rods are held in parallel relationship, moved toward a previously identified person or object, and caused to cross before touching the object. Ordinarily the rods cross, but occasionally with some players or target objects, the rods move apart toward an obtuse relationship.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention held in a starting position,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the rods moved toward an identified object,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one element of this invention, and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

The present invention is a toy comprising a pair of elongated rods freely rotatable in holders, said rods normally being held by the user in a parallel position but moving toward a crossed or obtuse position when a predetermined identified object is approached.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the details of construction of the present invention. The invention consists of a pair of elongated rods 10, each of said rods having a right angularly bent portion 11 at one end thereof. The rods 1%) have a solid cylindrical form and preferably are a hard drawn metal such as copper, zinc, aluminum or iron, which can be copper-coated to prevent tarnish or oxidation. The rods 10 are L-shaped with the longer arm of the L being about five times as long as the shorter arm or handle portion 11.

Tubular handles 12 cover the handle portions 11 of the rods 10 and allow the rods 10 free rotative movement of 360. The undersurfaces of the rods 16) ride on the upper edges 13 of the handles 12 when the rods 10 are rotating. The hollow handles 12 can be cardboard, plastic or metal, if desired.

Protective caps 14 are afiixed to each end of the rod id to prevent the sharp ends of the rods 10 from injuring anyone, particular-1y small children. The caps 14 on the ends of the handle portions 11 also tend to hold the tubular handles 13 in place.

When the present invention is in use, the operator grasps one rod 10' in each hand by the tubular handles 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The operator moves the rods it? into a parallel position relative to each other and to the ground. The rods 10 are extended forwardly of the user at about chest height. The rods 1e engage the upper edges 13 of the tubular handles 12 and are freely rotatable within said handles 12.

The operator then slowly moves the'rods 10 toward a predetermined identified object, such as another player of the game as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the rods 10 reach the immediate vicinity of the previouslyidentified object, the rods 10 will cross or distend in an obtuse relationship before the outermost ends thereof engage the object (FIG. 2).

Another method of playing the game is to lay a coin or other object on the floor and the player then holds the rods 10 in a spaced substantially parallel relationship away from the object. As the player moves the rods 10 toward the object, the rods 10 move toward each other and tend to cross directly over the object. The present game does not operate successfully'with all persons.

Another way of using the present toy is to bury a metal object and to have the player hold the rods parallel as hereinbefore described and then walk over the area in which the object is buried. When the player is over the buried object, the rods will cross or distend. T 0 check the location, the same spot is approached from a diiferent direction with the player holding the rods parallel as before, and the rods should cross or distend at the same approximate location.

It is preferred that the elongated portion of each of the rods be about 3t) inches in length and that the rig-ht angularly bent handle portion be about 6 inches long. These dimensions however can be proportionately reduced when the game is designed for childrens use. The rods themselves should be from about 1A? to about inch in diameter and a inch diameter aluminum rod is preferred.

Thus it is apparent that the present invention provides a game and a useful object which achieves all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the examples of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy comprising a pair of light rods, each of said rods having one end formed in a right angular relationship to the remainder of said rod, said right angular portions being substantially shorter than the remainder of the rods, tubular handles loosely positioned around the right angular portions of said rods, said rods freely rotating on the upper edges of said handles, protective means on the ends of the longer rod portions and means on the end of said right angular portions retaining said handles on said rods.

2. A toy comprising two unconnected elongated metal rods having end portions bent at right angles thereto, tubular handles circumscribed about the bent end portions allowing the rods to rotate freely therein, and protective tips at each end of said rods to retain the handles on the bent portions and to cover the elongated end of the rod.

3. A game method including the steps of positioning a pair of freely pivotable elongated metal rods in spaced substantially parallel relationship in the hands of a player, said rods having downwardly bent handle portions housed in loosely fitting handles gripped by said player,

moving said rods toward an object, and allowing said rods to more relative to each other as the rods approach said object.

and rem 

1. A TOY COMPRISING A PAIR OF LIGHT RODS, EACH OF SAID RODS HAVING ONE END FORMED IN A RIGHT ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP TO THE REMAINDER OF SAID ROD, SAID RIGHT ANGULAR PORTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY SHORTER THAN THE REMAINDER OF THE RODS, TUBULAR HANDLES LOOSELY POSITIONED AROUND THE RIGHT ANGULAR PORTIONS OF SAID RODS, SAID RODS FREELY RO- 